Criminal Justice

passed · North Carolina · House May 1, 2025

HB 575: The Hunter Robinson Act.

HB 575, known as "The Hunter Robinson Act," revises North Carolina's laws governing post-release supervision for criminal offenders. The bill modifies how the "maximum imposed term" is calculated for prisoners serving consecutive sentences by adjusting the months deducted based on felony class. It also changes when prisoners become eligible for post-release supervision and extends the required length of the supervision period for most felony categories. These changes generally result in longer post-release supervision terms for affected offenders. The act applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExtends post-release supervision periods and modifies sentencing calculations to lengthen supervision, increasing restrictions on offenders.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 771: Criminal Law Procedures.

House Bill 771 modifies criminal law procedures by expanding the ability to preserve witness testimony through depositions. It authorizes the State to take depositions from material witnesses in criminal cases under specific conditions, such as when a witness is in danger, elderly, or unlikely to be available for trial. Defendants already have the right to depose witnesses who are infirm, incapacitated, or non-residents. The bill outlines procedures for these depositions, ensuring defendants receive notice, have the right to be present, and can have legal counsel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands State's ability to preserve witness testimony under specific conditions, enhancing procedural fairness in criminal cases without restricting defendant rights.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 246: Liam's Law.

HB 246, also known as "Liam's Law," increases penalties for specific driving offenses. The bill elevates reckless driving that causes serious bodily injury to a Class I felony. For street racing, it establishes new felony classifications for causing serious injury (Class F felony) or death (Class B2 felony), and mandates longer driver's license revocations, including permanent revocation for fatalities. Additionally, the bill increases the penalty for hit-and-run offenses that result in death to a Class D felony. These provisions directly affect drivers involved in such incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony classifications and penalties for traffic offenses, expanding criminalization rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 330: Controlled Substances Act - Updates.

HB 330 updates North Carolina's Controlled Substances Act by adding specific synthetic drugs and chemical structures to Schedule I, making them illegal without exception. It directly affects law enforcement, healthcare providers, and individuals using these substances, as it automatically controls new variants of fentanyl derivatives (like 4-fluorofentanyl), nitazenes, synthetic cannabinoids (including indole carboxamides), and other novel psychoactive substances based on their chemical structure - not just named compounds. Key mechanisms include defining "structurally derived" compounds (e.g., fentanyl modifications) and listing specific examples to close loopholes where manufacturers alter molecules slightly to evade existing laws. This policy change aims to address emerging drug threats by expanding the legal definition of controlled substances.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds synthetic drugs to Schedule I, expanding criminalization of substances under controlled substances law without exceptions, increasing enforcement focus on possession/use.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Mar 20, 2025

HB 95: Threaten Elected Official/Increase Punishment.

HB 95 increases penalties for threats against certain elected and public officials in North Carolina, making such threats a Class I felony. It directly affects individuals who make threats against legislative, executive, court, local elected, or election officials, requiring a $50,000 secured appearance bond for anyone charged with these offenses. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that threats need not be received or believed by the targeted official, and it specifically covers threats made in retaliation for an official's duties. The law applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties to Class I felony for threats against officials, requiring $50k bond. Expands criminalization of speech, opposing reform efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 28: Gun Violence Prevention Act.

HB 28, the "Gun Violence Prevention Act," creates a new criminal offense for individuals convicted of a felony who possess a firearm or "weapon of mass death and destruction" (as defined in state law) during the commission or attempt of another felony. It imposes stricter penalties: a Class C felony if the weapon is discharged, Class D for brandishing (displaying the weapon), and Class F for other violations. This law applies specifically to convicted felons who already face restrictions on firearm possession, treating this additional offense as separate from the underlying felony. The bill takes effect December 1, 2025, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes stricter felony penalties for weapon possession during crimes, expanding criminalization per bill language95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 21: Drivers License Designation/Autism.

HB 21 creates a voluntary designation on North Carolina driver's licenses for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as defined by state law. People with a medical diagnosis of ASD can request this designation by providing acceptable documentation, such as a healthcare professional's certification, to the Division of Motor Vehicles. The designation appears only in the license record and is accessible solely to law enforcement during interactions to promote safety - no other use is permitted. Individuals may add or remove the designation at any time without affecting their license eligibility or rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeVoluntary autism designation on licenses improves law enforcement interactions during stops, enhancing officer awareness and public safety - aligns with police accountability in criminal justice context.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 182: Revise Law Permanent Protective Order/Child Abuse.

HB 182 creates two key policy changes: First, it allows judges to issue lifetime no-contact orders against defendants convicted of certain violent offenses (including sex offenses requiring registration), requiring a show-cause hearing to determine if the victim fears future contact. Second, it clarifies that caregivers of children under 16 who commit or allow sexual acts with the child face Class D felony charges, specifically expanding penalties for permitting such abuse. The law directly affects victims of violent crimes (through the no-contact protections) and caregivers of children under 16 (through updated felony charges for sexual abuse). These provisions apply to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminal penalties for caregivers (Class D felony) and mandates lifetime no-contact orders for violent offenders, increasing punitive measures per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 52: Protect Those Who Serve and Protect Act of 2025.

HB 52, the "Protect Those Who Serve and Protect Act of 2025," increases penalties for assaults against public safety personnel and their animals. It creates a new Class I felony offense for throwing, spraying, or projecting substances (like water) at public safety officers or law enforcement/search and rescue animals while they are on duty or due to their role. The bill also prohibits intentionally pointing laser devices at these protected individuals or animals during duty. These changes update existing assault laws to explicitly cover a wider range of emergency workers (including firefighters, medical staff, National Guard members, and school employees) and add specific protections for animals used in public safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaults on officers and animals, strengthening law enforcement protection within criminal justice framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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